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moabbeth
Sep 29, 2003, 10:57 PM
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Registered: Oct 22, 2002
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Does anyone else think about key dates in their climbing careers? I guess it's a good way and time to reflect on progress, experiences, people you meet along the way. For me my actual one year climbing anniversary was Labor Day weekend. Unfortunately what I'd hoped was gonna be an awesome & memorable weekend in Yosemite was...well memorable, but not for being awesome. That kinda bummed me out. Then today I reazlied this day is an even better annivsary. One year ago this very afternoon I walked into Gearheads south in Moab and bought my first rope. A Sterling bandit 60m. I headed over to Potash Rd/Wall St and by sheer luck happened to pull up where I saw a party of three...2 SLC climbers and their 16 year-old nephew who was playing hooky from high school on this beautiful autumn Monday afternoon. I walked up and offered up my rope to put up another route. Heather, Dash and Dylan turned out to be three of the coolest climbers I've ever met, Heather in particular. I'd never climbed in Moab despite many many visits there. And by sheer luck and karma the first route I got on with them was the classic Nervous in Suburbia. And I actually climbed it well to my shock. Then Dylan lead my rope up 30 Seconds over Potash. A classic 5.8 crack. I thought "no way in hell, I've been climbing about a month", mainly at places like Williamson. Heather was like "don't worry, I'll belay you, you can do it, cracks are actually easier for us girls" and I started up 30 seonds. It was my first time sliding my fingers and hands into Moab sandstone cracks. It was amazing. While I didn't do it perfectly, thanks to Heather's postive encouragement and technique advice, I made it up it. It was to this day one of the best feelings I've ever had climbing. I'd never felt more alive. We ended the day on Lucy in the Sky with Potash, a 5.10 crack in between the 2 routes we'd just climbed. I had to cheater it thru the crux but still had a blast on the rest of the route, that crack was such a blast to climb. Those were my first Moab climbs, one year ago today. Then the next day I got even luckier and found 2 amazing, experienced Moab climbers that I partnered up with and hung out with the rest of the week. It was probably the best vacation I've ever had...going back to my Moab alone, yet by the time I left having such rich experiences - that every weekend and free moment since I returned from there I was out climbing. It was the icing on the cake that addicted me to climbing forever. Since that trip I've spent a long fall/winter season of weekends in Josh, a spring/summer of weekends climbing mainly in Yosemite and Tahquitz. And now next week I'll be going back to Moab where my love of climbing began. Only this time with so much more knowlege, skill and ability than I did then...not to mention now I have actual goals, climbs in mind, and plans that I'm going after and great partners lined up ahead of time. Ahh...I get misty with joy thinking about it. :P :P One year ago today it all began for me, so much has passed, come and gone. But it's still amazing to think in one year what climbing added to my life experiences. My life is such a better place for it. While it's pretty much all I do outside of working, I can't imagine anything else I'd rather be doing more than climbing. Do you guys look back on a certain day, or a point in time like that? If so, what is it for you and what was that experience?
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blackmountaineer
Sep 29, 2003, 11:02 PM
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Registered: Sep 16, 2003
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Wow! You have an impressive memory. When people ask me how long I've been climbing, I have to think about it. If I didn't date all my pictures, I would have no idea when I took trips. I have my wedding date engraved on the band, just in case.
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bishopclimber
Sep 30, 2003, 5:37 AM
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Registered: Sep 15, 2003
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April 1979, started climbing July 1, 1982, Rainier August 1984, climbed the east face of Whitney. August 1996, climbed the SE buttress of Cathedral Pk October 1996, Kor-Ingalls route on Castleton Tower. these are my memorable climbs. there are too many to remember
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moabbeth
Sep 30, 2003, 11:36 PM
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Registered: Oct 22, 2002
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In reply to: April 1979, started climbing July 1, 1982, Rainier August 1984, climbed the east face of Whitney. August 1996, climbed the SE buttress of Cathedral Pk October 1996, Kor-Ingalls route on Castleton Tower. these are my memorable climbs. there are too many to remember Damn, you started with the hardest one of the bunch :lol: ! Nice. I'm going in reverse. Doing Kor now and hopefuly Rainier within the next few years.
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bishopclimber
Oct 1, 2003, 5:12 AM
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Registered: Sep 15, 2003
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In reply to: Damn, you started with the hardest one of the bunch :lol: ! Nice. I'm going in reverse. Doing Kor now and hopefuly Rainier within the next few years. Beth, in all honesty I think the North Chimney is a better route. I was on a kick to climb the 50 classics, that's why I chose the K-I. not all of the classics are classic
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missedyno
Oct 3, 2003, 4:15 PM
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Registered: Nov 21, 2001
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i like to remember little climbing anniversaries.... for instance, september marked my 2.5year climbing anniversary :)
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calamity_chk
Oct 3, 2003, 4:24 PM
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Registered: Apr 23, 2002
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yep, i'm all about my climbing anniversaries. i started climbing in oct 01, and did the kingfisher for my first anniversary. this year, i'm going to quartz to bring in the new year with some friends. not nearly as burly, but fun nonetheless.
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